Comparison of Blood Glucose Response Between Huel and Joylent over 135 Minutes

Posted by James Collier on April 19, 2016

Update: These assessments were done using Huel v1.2 figures. We have now updated our formula to v2.2, which you can view here.

AimTo compare the effects of the consumption of Huel and Joylent on blood glucose levels over a 135 minute period. The original plan was to also do a comparison with Soylent; however, on ordering Soylent from the USA at considerable expense, we were incorrectly shipped bottled Soylent so we were unable to do a like-for-like comparison.

MethodTen subjects of varied ages and genders were selected following completion of an eligibility questionnaire to ensure that none had medical conditions or were using medication that may affect blood glucose levels, for example, diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance or digestive conditions, or were pregnant or lactating. They were also asked if they had any known food intolerances to any of the ingredients in Huel or Joylent and that were not prone to fainting. Selected subjects also signed a disclaimer.

The trial took place on two separate non-consecutive trial days: Part 1 and Part 2. On Part 1 of the trial Joylent was consumed and on Part 2 of the trial Huel was consumed.

Part 1 - JoylentEach subject fasted for 12 hours overnight where they were permitted to consume nothing apart from water. Following this, each subject consumed a 500 calorie serving (122.85g) of vanilla flavoured Joylent mixed with water within the time window of three minutes. Blood glucose was tested immediately after consumption using a glucometer (Accu-Chek® (Roche)). Blood glucose readings were taken again at 15 minute intervals up to 135 minutes after consumption, giving a total of ten readings. Blood glucose levels were recorded in mmol per litre and recorded.

Part 2 - HuelEach subject fasted for 12 hours overnight where they were permitted to consume nothing apart from water. Following this, each subject consumed a 500 calorie serving (121.8g) of vanilla flavoured Huel V1.2 mixed with water within the time window of three minutes. Blood glucose was tested immediately after consumption using the same glucometer as was used in Part 1. Blood glucose readings were taken again at 15 minute intervals up to 135 minutes after consumption, giving a total of ten readings. Blood glucose levels were recorded in mmol per litre and recorded.

ResultsThe following illustrates graphically the comparison of blood glucose response between Huel and Joylent.

The following table shows the blood glucose levels recorded and their mean for Part 1 (Joylent) at 15 minute intervals over 135 minutes in 10 subjects:

Time/mins

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Mean

0

3.4

5.5

3.8

5.2

7.6

5.9

4.8

6.0

6.0

3.4

5.2

15

5.4

7.9

5.9

6.7

7.4

7.1

6.1

6.8

8.3

5.4

6.7

30

5.0

7.0

6.3

7.0

8.4

7.9

7.3

7.4

9.0

5.0

7.0

45

5.1

6.3

6.2

6.5

6.5

6.9

7.1

5.1

10.2

5.1

6.5

60

4.8

6.8

6.0

6.3

7.4

5.9

6.3

5.5

9.2

4.8

6.3

75

4.3

6.1

6.2

6.1

7.4

6.2

6.8

5.6

7.9

4.3

6.1

90

5.0

5.5

5.4

5.9

6.5

7.0

5.8

5.6

7.2

5.0

5.9

105

5.5

6.7

5.1

6.3

7.7

6.8

6.7

5.8

7.1

5.5

6.3

120

5.5

6.3

5.6

6.0

6.0

5.9

6.4

5.8

7.1

5.5

6.0

135

5.5

7.1

4.7

5.9

7.1

5.9

5.5

5.5

6.6

5.5

5.9

The following table shows the blood glucose levels recorded and their mean for Part 2 (Huel) at 15 minute intervals over 135 minutes in 10 subjects:

Time/mins

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Mean

0

3.9

4.8

3.4

5.2

5.2

5.5

5.5

4.8

6.6

3.4

4.8

15

6.0

4.8

4.3

6.4

6.3

5.8

5.8

5.5

6.1

4.3

5.5

30

4.7

7.6

5.4

7.2

7.8

7.8

6.6

6.3

6.3

4.7

6.3

45

5.9

6.5

6.5

7.2

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.4

6.4

5.9

6.4

60

4.7

6.7

5.5

6.9

7.7

7.7

6.2

6.0

5.6

4.7

6.0

75

5.3

6.4

5.7

6.6

6.8

6.8

5.6

5.8

5.0

5.0

5.8

90

4.2

6.5

5.2

8.4

6.0

6.0

6.3

5.9

5.8

4.2

5.9

105

4.2

6.4

5.5

5.8

6.1

6.1

6.3

5.6

5.7

4.2

5.6

120

4.7

6.1

6.0

6.2

5.9

5.9

6.0

5.8

5.8

4.7

5.8

135

4.2

6.5

5.7

5.2

5.9

5.9

6.1

5.5

5.9

4.2

5.5

Conclusion

This trial indicates that there is a smaller increase in blood glucose levels following consumption of Huel when compared to Joylent.